Trolley-wheel construction



March 2 1926.

L. J. TETLOW TROLLEY WHEEL CONSTRUCTION File d March 4, 1924 3Sheets-Sheet 1 mmvrox, [61413 J filolo;

ATTORNEY.

March 2 1926.

L.. J. TETLOW TROLLEY WHEEL CONSTRUCTION Filed March 14, 1924 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR, 121023 J .YZZow,

A TTORNEY- March 2 1926.

L. J. TETLOW TROLLEY WHEEL CONSTRUCT I ON Filed March 14, 1924 3Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR, [610115 J Zilozu,

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ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 2, 1926.

UNITED sTArEs LEWIS J'. TETLOW, OF HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS.

TROLLEY-WHEEL CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed March 14, 1924. Serial No. 699,245.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Lnwrs J. TETLOW, a citizen of the United States,residing at Holyoke, in the county of Hampden and State ofMassachusetts, have inventednew and useful Improvements inTrolley-VVheel Construction, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in trolley wheels and trolleyharp construction. An object of the invention is to provide a mountingfor a trolley wheel so that it will run a long time without beingrelubricated. At the present time, experience shows that trolley wheelsas now constructed, and mounted, run for only a few days before they arediscarded and a new wheel substituted.

Broadly, the mounting of my inproved trolley wheel comprises a fixedshaft which is supported in thetrolley harp, which shaft passes throughthe hub portion of the wheel that is formed with a large internallylocated recessed portion, and, located in the recessed portion are aplurality or seriesof disks that are placed in staggered or over lappingpositions relative to each other. Each of said disks are formed withseveral are or segmental shaped portions which rest directly upon thefixed shaft. Alternately arranged with reference to the are shapedbearing portions of the disks are recess or pocket portions for thepurpose of receiving a suitable lubricant such as finely dividedgraphite that is mixed with a suitable binder element which possesseslubricating and electrical conducting properties. These recess portionscommunicate with the shaft receiving opening in the disk, whereby thelubricant will flow directly out of the recess portions and onto theshaft. 7 The lubricant that is inserted in the recess portions iscomposed of a substance that readily conducts the electric currentwhereby the efiiciency and life of the trolley wheel is materiallyincreased both as to its wear and electrical conductivity. Theconstruction and arrangement being such that when the wheel and itssupporting shaft are assembled, it is practically impossible for thelubricant in the interior of the wheel to escape. l

A further object of the invention is to provide a trolley harp forsupporting the wheel and so constructed that the electric current willreadily pass from the wheel to the harp. Broadly, the harp comprisestheusual spaced arm or fork portions in which the fixed wheel supportingshaft is located, and, oppositely disposed spring actuated contactmembers that engage and bear directly on the opposite sides of thetrolley wheel and with means for varying the pres sure of the springactuated contact members againstthe opposite sides of the wheel, and atthe same time, permitting the springs to have lateral or axial movementon the wheel supporting shaft.

A further object of the invention, which maybe considered amodification, to provide a detachable hub which may be readily insertedinto and removed from the rim pore tion of the wheel, should occasionrequire such change. The hub being provided with the series of wheelsupporting disks that are arranged in staggered relation to each otherand each formed with recesses or pocket portions to receive thelubricating and the electricity conducting material. These and otherobjects will appear in the body of the specifications which will beclearly pointed out in the claims. I

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing the complete wheel and thescrews forretaining the disks and the closure plate in place.

Fig. 2 1s a vertical sectional view substan tially on the line 22 ofFig. 1 illustrating the interior construction of the wheel and showingthe plurality of shaft supporting and lubricant retaining disksassembled in overlapping relation, also the spacing rings which operateto provide a cushion effect axially of the wheel and a closure plate forretaining disks in place. V

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig, 2 showing the enlarged interiorrecessed portion of the wheel with the series of disks and rings and aclosure plate removed. g

Fig. 4L shows the series of shaft supporting and lubricant retainingdisks, the spacing rings, and the closure plate removed from the wheel,and separated from each other. 7 .1

Fig. 5 illustrates one of the disks which vis located in the recessedportion of the wheel and formed with lubricant receiving pockets orrecesses and the openings for receiving the securing bolts.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the recesses or lubricantretaining pockets which are in different angular posi tions.

Fig. 7 is an elevational View of the end closure plate for closing therecess in the side of the wheel as shown in Fig. 1'.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of one of the compressible and spacing rings.

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view on the line 99 of Fig. 8 showingthe interior of the spacing ring which is filled with asbestos fibres.

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the assembled trolley harp andwheel,

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view or the line 1111 of Fig. 10 showingthe manner of supporting the spring actuated contact brushes whichnormally bear against the opposite sides or the wheel, also the mannerof normally exerting a spring pressure on the brushes.

Fig. 12 is a detail view of the brush construction of the harp shown indetached and separated relations.

Fig.13 is a side elevational view in which the hub portion is maderemovable from the rim portion. 7

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view on the line 14l14 of Fig. 13showing the interior construction of the removable'hub and the manner ofattaching this hub to the spoke portions of the wheel.

Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view of the removable hub showing therecessed interior portion and the spoke parts formed with openings toreceive the securing bolts,

Fig. 16 is an end elevational view of the hub removed from the wheel,

Fig. 17 is a detail view of the supporting pin showing the oil retainingrecesses therein, and

Fig. 18 is a plan view showing two of the disks in overlapping position,and

Figs. 19 and 20 are details of supporting the brushes.

Referring to the drawings in detail:

1 designates the trolley wheel as a whole which is formed with the usualannular groove 2 which receives and bears against the overhead trolleywire. The center or hub portion of the wheel is formed with an enlargedcored out recess 3 and an opening 4: through which the supporting shaft5 passes. The hub portion is formed with three equally spaced openings 6(see Fig. 1) for receiving the threaded screws 7, for retaining thedisksand cover plate in place. Located within the recess 3 are the disks8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. 2O designates three spacing and compression ringsthat are arranged between the disks 8 and 9, 10 and 11, and 12 and theend closure plate i l as shown in Fig. 2. This end closure plate -isformed with three threaded openings 15 for receiving the threaded endsof the bolts 7, as shown in Fig. 2; Each of the disks 8, 9,

10, 11, and 12are formed with correspondingly located openings 16through which passes the retaining screws 7. Each of the disks is formedwith an opening 17 having the spaced are shaped portions 18 which restdirectly on the shaft 5. Communicating with the openings 17 are therecesses or pockets 19 for receiving a lubricating sub-- stance. Sincethe are shaped portions 18 rest directly upon the pin 5, as shown inFig. 2, the disks therefore support the wheel-1.

The recesses 19 are for the purpose of receiving the lubricant for thewheel, and, since these recesses are arranged in difierent angularpositions as comparison of the views in Figs. 5, 6, and 18 will readilyshow, the lubricant will therefore be pocketed or retained by reason ofthe overlapping or staggered relation of the recesses 19 in the disks,when they are assembled. For the purpose of spacing some of the disksfrom each other to permit the lubricant to escape and for furnishing amore or less elastic compressible, or cushion effect to permit the disksto slightly yield or move axially on the shaft 5 so that the cover plate14 will seat firmly the three rings 20 are provided A sectional detailof one of the rings is shown in Fig. 9. These rings are preferablyformed of thin copper and folded as shown to confine the asbestos fibres21 therein, whereby this material vwill slightly yield or bend when thewheel is operated.

After the disks 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 and the rings 20 are assembled, asshown in Fig. 2, the threaded screws 7 are inserted and passed throughthe openings 15 of the disks and threaded into the closure plate 1 1-,which plate firmly seats '11 the annular ledge 22, by reason of theyielding nature of the rings 20. After the disks are assembled suitablemeans are provided for completely filling the interior of the wh el witha suitable lubricant, which filling operation is preferably carried outby inserting the end of a pump in the opening 4; and forcing thelubricant under high pressure and in a melted or semi-liquid condition,whereby the lubricant will bedriven into the pockets or spaces 19 andinto the spaces around the rings 20 and at the edge of the disks in theannular space 2-3. The space 2-3 also serves the purpose of permittingthe disks to swell or expand should they for any reason increase in sizefrom absorbing the lubricant.

This lubricant is indicated at After the parts are'assembled and thelubricant is inserted the wheel is then placed in the trolley harp byinserting the pin The pin 5 is retained in place by means of the cotterpins 25. The pin is located in the arms 26 or yoke of the trolley harp.

For the purpose of forming a good electrical contact between therotatable wheel 1 and the trolley harp, the spring actuated brushes 27of bronze or copper are provided. These brushes are formed with anenlarged flat end portion 28 and an opening 29 to receive the pin 5. Theflat end part 23 normally presses against the opposite ends 30 I and 31of the wheel, for collecting the current. The brushes 27 are of theshape shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Their lower ends are formed with asemi-circular recess 32 which seats or rests upon the washers 33 whichwashers are located in the recessed portion 34 of the arms 26, wherebythe spring actuatedbrushes 27 are definitely located with relation tothe pin 5. For the purpose of supplying a normal. pressure on thebrushes 27 to form a good electrical contact with the wheel 1 the curvedsprings are provided; the lower ends of each of which is formed with anopening 36 through which passes the bolt 37. This bolt extends throughan opening 38 in the arms 26. Located on the inner ends of each of thesebolts is a lock washer 39. 40 designates'a nut on each of the bolts 37,whereby suitable tension may be placed on the washers 39, which in turn,is transmitted to the spring arms 35. t should be stated that when thepin 5 is removed the brushes 27 may be readily withdrawn from theiroperative position on the arms 26 by simply pulling them lengthwise otthe trolley harp. The brushes 27 and spring 35, it will be observed.pass through the openings 26 of the arms 26.

For the purpose of preventing any oil or water from destroying theelectrical contact between the brushes 27 and the arms 26, the twoaprons 35 and 35 are provided which would carry the oil or water awayfrom the brushes which would destroy their electrical contact with thearms. Rivets are provided for attaching these aprons to the brushes 27.

In order to positively insure at all times, a good electrical contactbetween the brushes 27 and the arms, the recesses'34, see Figs. 11, 19and 20, are formed with ridges 34 and grooves 34 The brushes 27 rest onthe ridges 34 thus providing good electrical connection. The grooves 34will serve the purpose to conduct or carry away any water or oil thatmight possibly collect under the brushes 27 and in the recesses. The twoend grooves 34 are extended through to the bottom. of the harp as shownin Fi 11.

Referring to the construction SILOVIT in Figs. 13 to 17 in which thetrolley wheel 41 is formed with four inwardly or radially projectingarms or spoke-like members 42 and 43 which are spaced from each other asshown in Fig. 14. The spaces between these arms is for the purpose ofreceiving the tour radially arranged arms or spokes 44 of the removablehub member 45. This removable hub member is formed withan enlarged coredout recess portion 3, the same as the hub part of the wheel 1, shown inFig. 3, and'located within this recess portion is the identicalarrangement of the disks 8, .9, 10, 11, and 12 and the closure plate 14.46 is a pin that passes through the centrally arranged openings 17 inthe disks and through the opening 47 of the hub member which member isformed with openings 48 for receiving the cotter pins 25 of the trolleyharp shown in Fig. 11. The hub member 45 is formed with the spacedopenings 49 for receiving and securing the screws 7 as alreadydescribed. The arms 44 are each formed with an opening 50 through whichpasses the securing bolts 51 shown in Fig; 14 whereby the arms 44 andthe removable hub member 45 may be readily attached to and removed fromthe wheel 41. The pin 46 is formed with grease retaining pockets 52 forthe purpose of evenly distributing the lubricant thereon. It will beseen that when the hub member 45 and the supporting disks therein becomeworn that they may be readily removed by withdrawing the bolts 51 bygiving it a slight rotary movement as indicated by the arrow 51, forremoving'the arms 4 from the space between the arms 42 and 43 and a newhub member readily substituted for the worn one, or, if desired, the oldone may be retained in the wheel 41 and refilled when new disks andrings and a new pin 46 is inserted.

This form of wheel is particularly desirable for long ClISULDCGS OI'high speed tratlic since the wheel 41 is made of larger diameter thanthe wheel 1. V

The are shaped surfaces 18 of the hard fibre disks 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12,it should be particularly observed, form the bearing surfaces forsupporting the wheel 1 on the shaft 5. It should also be particularlyobserved that the pockets or recesses 19 in the fibre disks provides asuitable means, or structure, for receiving the lubricating substancefor the bearing surfaces 18, which rest directly on the shaft 5, andthat the overlapping or staggered arrangement of the disks effectuallyconfines and prevents the escape of the lubricant from the recess It canflow or pass only through the narrow passageways 19 to the shaft 5.

It should be stated that the disks 8, 9 1O, 11, and 12 as shown in Fig.4 are like those shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the broken lines 55 and 66, inFig. 4, and the arrows thereon, indicate how the recesses 19 in thesedisks appear when assembled in overlapping relation. The sameoverlapping result may, of course be obtained by changing the positionsof the openings 16 but leaving the angular positions of the recesses inthe same position in each disk. This is indicated in Fig. 18 where thebolt receiving openings 16, in two overlapping disks register. The sameresult is accomplished by either method, that is to say, the lubricatingand electrically conducting substance is pocketed between theoverlapping disks, as readily. understood,

What I claim is:

1. In a trolley wheel construction, the combination with the hub portionwhich is formed with a recess therein and an annular ledge part, aseries of wheel supporting disks located in the recess, said disks eachbeing formed with an opening to receive a wheel supporting shaft andhaving laterally located recessescommunicating with the said opening toprovide a space or pocket to, receive a semi-solid lubricant, saidlubricant possessing the property of readily conducting the el xctriccurrent from the wheel to the supporting shaft and means for securingthe said disks in place in the recess comprising a plate located in theannular pan, and threaded screws passing through the disks, the plateand the hub.

52. A trolley wheel construction comprising in combination with anintegral recessed hub portion thereof, a supporting shaft for the wheel,a plurality of fibre d sks located with in the said recessed portion andof less dia1ncter than the recess of the hub, each disk having a shaftreceiving and supporting opening, an are shaped portion formed as a partof the disk that rests directly upon the supporting shaft and a recesswhich communicates with the said opening in the disk for receiving asuitable semi-solid lubricant that possesses the property of readilyconducting electric current and means including an end closure plate andscrews passing through the hub, plate and disks for securingthe disks inplace inthe wheel.

3. A trolley wheel construction comprising in combination with arecessed hub portion thereof, a shaft for supporting the wheel, aplurality of disks located within the recessed hub portion, each diskhaving an opening to receive the shaft and an are shaped portion thatrests directly upon the supporting shaft, and a laterally arrangedrecess which communicates with the opening in the disk for receiving aSuitable lubricant that possesses the property of readily conducting theelectric current, means for securing the disks in place in the wheel,means for spacing the disks axially of the shaft.

4. In a trolley wheel, the combination with the hub portion thereof,which is formed with an open-ended recess, a closure plate for the openend, a supporting. shaft extending througl'i the hub and closure plate,a plurality of disks each formed with an opening and located in therecessedhub portion and engaging the shaft to form a bearing between thewheel and the shaft, spacing rings located between the disks and theclosure plate for permitting the disk to slightly yield axially on theshaft to permit the closure plate to firmly seat on the hub, asdescribed.

5. In a trolley wheel, the combination with the hub portion thereof,which is formed with a recess and opened at one end, a closure plate forthe open end, a supporting shaft extending through the hub and closureplate, a plurality of disks formed with openings to receive the shaftand located in the recessed portion of the hub and engaging the shaft toform a bearing between the wheel and the shaft, spacing rings locatedbetween the disks and the closure plate for permitting the disks toslightly move axially on the pin, when the closure plate is secured inplace, each of the disks having pockets therein for receiving alubricating substance and the pockets in the disks being arranged instaggered relation to each other so that the pocket in one disk isclosed by the adjacent disk, and the pockets having a passage wayleading to the shaft to permit the lubricant to reach the shaft as thewheel revolves.

A trolley wheel construction comprising a hub portion formed with arecess and openings therein, a shaft for supporting the wheel, aplurality of disks having openings and located in the recess and eachformed with pockets for receiving. a lubricant possessing electricalconducting property, the disks having passageways leading from thepockets to'the shaft, the pockets of the disks being arranged instaggered or overlapping relation for causing the pockets to be closedagainst lateral escape of the lubricant by its adjacent disk butpermitting the supporting shaft to be lubricated, and means forretaining the disks in the recess con'iptising a closure plate formedwith screw threaded openings, threaded screws passed through closureplate, the openings of the disks and the hub.

7. In a trolley wheel construction having a recessed hub and an annularseat formed thereon, a supporting shaft extending through the same, aplurality of disks located in the recessed part of the hub for engagingthe shaft, each of the disks having a pocket for receiving a shaftlubricating and electrical conducting substance, rings on the shaft andlocated between the disks, said rings being formed of con'ipressiblematerial, and means for securing the disks in place in the recesscomprising a closure plate for engaging the annular seat and threadedbolts passing through the disks and closure plate, the construction andarrangement being such that when the securing bolts are operated theclosure plate will be firmly seated on the annular seat.

8. A removable hub for trolley wheels, comp rising, in combination, aone piece member formed with an open ended recess havtion, fibre disksin the recess of less diameter 7 than the recess to permit expansion ofthe disks, each disk being formed with a shaft receiving opening, meansfor securing disks and closure plate together, and to the member, meansfor retaining a shaft lubricant between the disks.

9. A trolley wheel, comprising, in combination a recessed hub member, asupporting shaft, a plurality of shaft engaging disks in the recessedmember, each disk being formed with a recess for receiving a shaftlubricating and electrical conducting substance and arranged withrelation to each other so that the recesses in the disks do not registerwith each other for confining or pocketing the said substance in therecess, the disks having a passageway to permit the said substance toflow from the recess onto the shaft, means for securing the disks to thehub member, and means forremovably securing the hub member to the rimpart of the wheel.

10. A separable trolley wheel comprising in combination, a removable hubmember, formed with a recessed portion, a supporting shaft, disks in therecessed portion which are formed with are shaped parts that rest on theshaft, the diameter of the disks being less than the diameter of therecessed portion to provide a free space for the disks to radiallyexpand, a closure plate for the recessed portions, the hub member havingan annular seat for the closure plate, rings between the disks, screwspassed through the plate, hub member and disks to retain the disks inplace and to draw the plate onto the annular seat, the disks beingformed with recesses to receive a lubricating and electrical conductingsubstance.

11. A disk for the purpose described having a centrally disposed openingwith are shaped portions for engaging a supporting shaft when insertedin the opening, the opening having recessed portions with latter-allyextending portions between the are shaped portions for receiving alubricating substance for the shaft.

12. A support for a rotatable member, as

a trolley wheel, comprising a plurality of disks, each formed with ashaft receiving opening the border of the opening having arc-shapedportions that engage the shaft, recesses in the disks between the saidportions, each recess having laterally extending portions for receivinga lubricating substance, means for securing the disks together with theare shaped portions and recesses in staggered or overlapping relationfor retaining the lubricating material in the recesses but permitting itto lubricate the shaft.

LEWIS J. TETLOW.

